Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

I join the Taoiseach in sympathising with all those affected by the terrible tragedy in west Cork.

With regard to the specifics of this issue, I am very disappointed with the Taoiseach's reply because he is saying there is no question of a reversal. Given the implication and the indications from the Minister, there seems to be a tendency or a pattern whereby when an issue reaches a certain critical point, the Government says it will review and look at it. This is why I raise it again today having raised it in the House on 14 December. The teachers and the schools involved want specifics. When the Taoiseach says he is looking at something, what does that mean? Will he reverse it? Will he change it? Can those schools look forward to a significant change in the proposals that are currently before them? For example, can a school that is facing the loss of five teachers seriously hope, and not just hope but be assured, that this will not turn out to be the case?

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